September 16, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In a July ruling, a California judge has delayed a court case involving the sexual abuse of two undisclosed plaintiffs, John R.R. Doe and John R.F. Doe. The cases will not proceed as scheduled in October, but instead will be rescheduled for March 2021. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Sotelo cites the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason. Disruption in the court system isn’t isolated to California. Recently the Diocese of Albany was flooded with sexual abuse lawsuits after a nearly three-month delay in courts due to the Coronavirus. The California delay nevertheless pushes back potential justice for what started several years ago.
Read more
Lawsuit Alleges Former Cardinal McCarrick Involved in ‘Sex Ring’
September 30, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A lawsuit has been filed in New Jersey Superior Court against former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for what’s being called a ‘sex ring’. The lawsuit is being brought by one of the survivors, who chose to remain anonymous, but is referenced as “Doe 14” in court documents. The complaint alleges Doe 14 was groomed to be part of a sex ring scheme that was headed up by then Bishop McCarrick. The complaint notes the scheme perpetuated over dozens of years and included multiple minors, some of which were seminarians, or those studying to become priests.
Read more
Multiple Clergy Abuse Lawsuits Filed against the Diocese of Ogdensburg New York
September 24, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The Diocese of Ogdensburg was named in 20 lawsuits claiming clergy sexual abuse. Of those 20 filings, 7 new clergy members have been publicly identified for the first time. According to the Diocese of Ogdensburg website, since August 2019, 71 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits have been filed against the Diocese.
Read more
Over $800k Awarded to British Columbia Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivor
September 22, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge awarded clergy abuse survivor Rosemary Anderson $844,140 on August 25th, 2020 at the conclusion of her case. After the passing of her father in 1976, Rosemary Anderson sought out the Roman Catholic church for comfort. She was only 26. It was during that time she was sexually assaulted by priest Erlindo “Lindo” Molon. In her lawsuit against the Kamloops Roman Catholic Diocese, she claimed Erlindo Molon raped her 75 -100 times over many months.
Read more
Rhode Island Passes Law Helping Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivors
September 21, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
On August 9, 2019, Governor Gina M. Raimondo held a ceremony, signing into law a new childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations reform. The reform gives victims of childhood sexual abuse a major victory, which will allow more survivors, particularly those who are older, the ability to hold their abusers accountable for their actions.
Read more
Philadelphia Inquirer Investigates Additional Sexual Assault Claims Against Devereux Behavioral Health
September 16, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Sexual Abuse & Assault Lawsuits
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health is again under fire after The Philadelphia Inquirer article highlighted the disturbing behavior and cultural patterns within the Devereux company which perpetuated multiple sexual abuse allegations and lawsuits.
Read more
Delay in California Clergy Abuse Trial Due to Coronavirus
September 16, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
In a July ruling, a California judge has delayed a court case involving the sexual abuse of two undisclosed plaintiffs, John R.R. Doe and John R.F. Doe. The cases will not proceed as scheduled in October, but instead will be rescheduled for March 2021. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge David Sotelo cites the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason. Disruption in the court system isn’t isolated to California. Recently the Diocese of Albany was flooded with sexual abuse lawsuits after a nearly three-month delay in courts due to the Coronavirus. The California delay nevertheless pushes back potential justice for what started several years ago.
Read more
Catholic Diocese of Oakland Named In Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
September 2, 2020 / by Brett Katsma / Catholic Church Sexual Abuse
The attorney for ‘John Doe’, a sexual abuser survivor who wished to keep his identity concealed, file a complaint at the Alameda County Superior Court against the Diocese of Oakland, St. John’s Catholic Church in San Lorenzo, and Corpus Christi Church in Fremont, accusing them of negligence in protecting children from predator priests.
Read more